Key facts
- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un called for expanding the country's nuclear arsenal.
- The ruling Workers' Party of Korea reaffirmed its commitment to nuclear force expansion.
- North Korea aims to increase its nuclear assets with a goal of "overtaking the world."
- The party pledged to accelerate the construction of a strategic guided missile cruiser.
- South Korea was designated as North Korea's most hostile nation.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has called for efforts to further increase his country's nuclear assets, aiming to "overtake the world," according to state media.
The ruling Workers' Party of Korea convened a three-day meeting, presided over by Kim, to assess policy performance and review agenda items. The meeting reaffirmed North Korea's commitment to expanding its nuclear forces, describing them as "the core of the military sovereignty" and "the pivot of implementing the strategy for deterring or fighting a war."
The party session unanimously decided that exercising the position of a nuclear weapons state is the most correct and unique way to actively cope with the complex international situation. The report indicated that with nuclear technology as a basis, more extensive and innovative plans would be carried out with increasing speed. Kim set forth tasks to dynamically increase powerful defense assets.